Can CalWORKs WTW requirements be met with fully online school? Or must it be on-campus?

Yes, CalWORKs absolutely accepts online education for your WTW plan! I completed my entire medical assistant program online last year while on Cash Aid. The key is getting your education plan approved BEFORE you start. You'll need to fill out a WTW 2 form (Activity Agreement) and have your worker approve your Self-Initiated Program (SIP). Make sure your online program leads to employment - that's what they care about most. Medical billing is perfect since it's in-demand. Just make sure you also request childcare assistance through CalWORKs since you'll need study time too!

Thank you SO much! This is exactly what I needed to hear. Did you have to provide any specific documentation from the school to prove it was a legit program? And did you have any issues with them counting your study hours toward your required WTW hours?

idk my sister tried to do online classes and her worker said no had to be in person this was last year tho. maybe depends on ur county?

It definitely shouldn't depend on the county since this is a state-wide program, but sometimes individual workers don't know all the rules. The official CalWORKs guidelines allow for online education as long as it's from an accredited institution and leads to employment. If someone tells you otherwise, ask to speak with a supervisor or file for a state hearing.

I'm doing online classes right now for my CalWORKs WTW plan!!! But let me tell you it was NOT easy to get approved!! My first worker said no way, then I got a new worker who said yes but only if I also did 10 hours of job search ON TOP OF school which was ridiculous. I fought back and showed them the policy that says education can count for ALL your required hours if it's approved. FINALLY got it sorted but took like 3 months of back and forth and almost missed my enrollment period. Don't give up!!!!

This is unfortunately very common. The CalWORKs regulations clearly state that online education from accredited institutions qualifies for WTW hours, but many workers aren't properly trained on this. Education can satisfy your full participation requirement if it's at least 32/35 hours per week (including supervised study time). If you're having trouble, I recommend using Claimyr.com to get through to a supervisor quickly - I used their service to connect with a CalWORKs office after being on hold for hours. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE that shows how it works. Definitely worth it when you're facing enrollment deadlines.

my wife did an online certificate for medical coding and CalWORKs covered it 100%. they even paid for her laptop and internet because it was required for school. but she had to submit her transcript every semester to prove she was passing her classes. also make sure u get the childcare assistance thru CalWORKs because that was actually more valuable than the Cash Aid tbh

They paid for a laptop?! My worker never mentioned anything about that. I'm definitely going to ask about this because my laptop is super old and probably can't handle the software for medical billing courses. Did she have to request this specifically or was it automatic?

The CalWORKs system is SO inconsistent it drives me CRAZY!!! I've been fighting with them for 6 MONTHS about my online classes. First they said yes, then no, then maybe, then they lost my paperwork TWICE!!! Now they're saying I need some special form from the school proving it's

Same thing happened to my cousin! She just gave up and got a minimum wage job instead. So sad because she really wanted to finish her degree. The whole system is broken.

i think it depends on what ur studying too. my friend was trying to do like general ed classes online and they said no but when she switched to CNA program they approved it. they want u to study something that gets u a job quick

This is a really important point. CalWORKs is much more likely to approve vocational training programs (like medical billing, CNA, welding, etc.) than general education. They want to see a clear path to employment. If you're doing online education, make sure it's something with good job prospects that can be completed relatively quickly. Medical billing is a great choice because there's high demand and you can finish in less than a year.

When I was on CalWORKs last summer I wanted to do all online classes but my worker told me I had to do atleast some in-person classes so I ended up having to do this hybrid program. But I wonder if that was just her making up rules? Sounds like other people got approved for fully online so maybe my worker was just being difficult?

That's what I'm worried about! Seems like different workers have different rules. Did you ever try to challenge what your worker said or ask for the official policy in writing?

I want to clear up some confusion here. According to official CalWORKs policy, online education DOES qualify for WTW hours if it meets these criteria:1. It's from an accredited institution2. It leads to employment (vocational training is preferred)3. You can document your participation (attendance, grades, etc.)4. You get it approved as part of your WTW planIf your worker tells you otherwise, ask them to show you the policy in writing. You can also request a different worker or speak to a supervisor if needed. Don't let misinformation prevent you from pursuing education!

Thank you for spelling this out so clearly! I'm going to print this list and bring it with me to my next appointment. I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences. It's frustrating that the rules seem to be applied so inconsistently, but at least now I know what to fight for!

I just wanted to add that when I did my online program through CalWORKs, they also required me to submit a "verification of enrollment" form every month showing I was still actively participating. My school's registrar office helped me with this - they knew exactly what CalWORKs needed because they work with WTW students regularly. Also, don't forget that if your program requires any textbooks or materials, CalWORKs can reimburse those costs too! I saved all my receipts and got reimbursed for about $400 in books and supplies. The medical billing field is definitely growing so you're making a smart choice. Just make sure to get everything in writing before you start classes!

Just wanted to share my experience as another data point! I'm currently halfway through an online medical coding program that CalWORKs is covering. It took about 2 weeks to get approved once I submitted all the paperwork, but my worker was pretty supportive from the start. The key things that helped me were: 1) I chose a program that was specifically designed for working adults (all evening classes), 2) I had a clear career plan showing job prospects in my area, and 3) I emphasized that this was more cost-effective than childcare for in-person classes. My worker actually said online programs are becoming more common post-COVID and they're seeing good success rates. One tip - if you're in a rural area like me, definitely mention that online might be your ONLY option for certain programs. Good luck with your medical billing program - it's a great field with lots of remote work opportunities!

I'm actually going through this exact same process right now! Just got approved for an online healthcare administration program last month after initially being told "maybe" by my first worker. What really helped was bringing documentation from the school showing it's accredited and has a high job placement rate (like 85% of graduates find work within 6 months). I also created a simple budget showing how online classes would save CalWORKs money compared to paying for childcare and transportation for in-person classes. My worker loved that angle! One thing I learned - ask specifically about "supportive services" funding because they can cover way more than just tuition. They're paying for my internet upgrade, a desk chair for studying, and even some of my childcare during exam periods. The medical billing field is perfect because so many of those jobs are remote now, which means you'll have more flexibility with your kids even after you graduate. Definitely push back if anyone tries to tell you online doesn't count - the state policy is super clear that it does!

I'm actually a CalWORKs worker and wanted to jump in here to clarify some things! Online education is absolutely allowed under state policy, but I understand the confusion because implementation varies by county and individual workers. The key requirements are pretty straightforward: accredited school, leads to employment, and you maintain satisfactory progress. For your medical billing program, that sounds perfect since it's vocational training with clear job outcomes. What I'd recommend is requesting your approval in writing (we call it a WTW Activity Agreement) and don't start classes until you have that signed document. If you run into resistance, ask for the specific regulation they're citing - sometimes workers make assumptions without checking policy. Also, definitely ask about ancillary costs like software, books, and equipment - those are covered under supportive services. The childcare assistance is huge too since you'll need study time. Feel free to ask me any specific policy questions!

I'm going through a similar situation right now! I'm a single mom with a 4-year-old and just got approved for an online business administration program through CalWORKs last month. The process was honestly smoother than I expected once I found the right approach. Here's what worked for me: I scheduled a meeting specifically to discuss education options (not just a regular check-in), brought printed information about my program including accreditation status and career outcomes, and emphasized how online learning would actually save them money on childcare and transportation assistance. My worker was initially hesitant but became supportive once she saw I had done my research. One thing I wish I'd known earlier - they can also help with internet costs if you don't have reliable broadband at home, which is essential for online classes. The medical billing field is such a smart choice because most positions are remote-friendly now, which means you'll have flexibility even after graduating. Don't let anyone discourage you from pursuing this - the official policy absolutely supports online education for WTW participants!

I went through this exact process two years ago with an online nursing assistant program and can confirm that CalWORKs absolutely accepts fully online education! The key is being prepared with documentation and knowing your rights. Here's what helped me succeed: 1) I brought a printed copy of the CalWORKs manual section about approved educational activities (you can find this on the CDSS website), 2) I had my school provide a letter confirming accreditation and job placement rates, and 3) I emphasized that online learning was more cost-effective than paying for childcare and transportation. My worker initially seemed unsure but approved everything once she saw the official policy language. Don't let anyone tell you it's not allowed - the state regulations are very clear that online education from accredited institutions counts toward your WTW hours. Also, make sure to ask about ALL the supportive services available - they covered my laptop, software, books, and even upgraded my internet plan. The medical billing field is perfect because it's growing and most positions offer remote work options. Stay persistent and don't be afraid to ask for a supervisor if your worker seems uninformed about the online education policies. You've got this!

As someone who recently went through this exact situation, I can definitely confirm that CalWORKs accepts online education! I just finished an online medical coding program last year while receiving Cash Aid. The trick is getting everything documented properly upfront. Here's what I learned: 1) Schedule a dedicated appointment just to discuss your education plan - don't try to squeeze it into a regular check-in, 2) Bring documentation showing your program is accredited and has good job placement rates, 3) Emphasize the cost savings to CalWORKs (no childcare or transportation costs), and 4) Request everything in writing before you enroll. Medical billing is such a smart choice because the job market is strong and most positions are remote-friendly, which is perfect when you have young kids. I actually make more now than I ever did before CalWORKs, and I work from home! Don't let anyone discourage you - the state policy clearly allows online education. If your worker pushes back, ask them to show you the specific regulation that prohibits it (spoiler: there isn't one). Also definitely ask about supportive services funding - they can cover way more than just tuition. Good luck with your program!

I'm currently going through the exact same process with CalWORKs and online education! Just wanted to add my perspective as someone who's been navigating this system for the past few months. I initially faced pushback from my worker about online classes, but after bringing documentation and citing specific policies, I got approved for a fully online healthcare certification program. One thing that really helped was creating a comparison chart showing the costs - online education saved CalWORKs hundreds of dollars per month compared to childcare and transportation for in-person classes. They love seeing those numbers! Also, don't forget to ask about the Emergency Aid program if you need help with enrollment deposits or equipment before your regular supportive services kick in. The medical billing field is booming right now, especially with remote work becoming standard. I've seen job postings offering $18-22/hour starting wages for certified medical billers, and many are fully remote. Stay persistent and document everything - if your first worker says no, ask for the policy in writing and don't be afraid to speak with a supervisor. The state regulations are on your side!